NeTS: Medium: Collaborative Research: Designing a Content-Aware Internet Ecosystem

该奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的。当前互联网流量的绝大部分是由于分发内容，然而互联网被设计成在很大程度上与流经它的内容的特征无关。本研究探讨了内容感知互联网生态系统的设计和运营，该生态系统在用户（寻求快速和正确的下载）、内容提供商（寻求最小化网络拥塞和传输流量）和网络提供商（生成内容并寻求成本和资源效率的传播）之间的互动中茁壮成长。这项研究采取了双管齐下的方法。一方面，它探索了对内容感知的互联网生态系统的基本性能限制的新颖分析，该生态系统严格地描述了智能设计的跨层架构的好处。另一方面，它包括发展机制和内容分发系统的实际实施，通过该系统，有关各方可以建设性地互动，以实现这些成果，同时尊重彼此的利益。这种方法结合了一系列技术，包括建模和理论分析、测量和数据分析、系统设计、仿真和系统实现。能够负担得起且随时可用的数字内容，有助于为整个社会提供信息、教育和娱乐。此外，通过开发成本和资源有效的交付技术，可以减少有关各方之间不断产生的摩擦，并且可以更好地了解网络中立性辩论的技术方面。为了加强这种影响，该项目包括一个教育组成部分，包括来自代表性不足群体的当地大学、课程开发和与工业界的互动。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). A significant majority of current Internet traffic is due to distributing content, yet the Internet was designed to be largely agnostic to characteristics of the content flowing over it. This research investigates the design and operation of a content-aware Internet ecosystem, which thrives on the interaction between users (seeking seek fast and correct downloads), content providers (seeking to minimize network congestion and transit traffic), and network providers (who generate content, and seek the cost- and resource-efficient dissemination). This research takes a two-pronged approach. On one hand, it explores novel analysis of fundamental performance limits for a content-aware Internet ecosystem that rigorously characterizes the benefits of an intelligently designed cross-layer architecture. On the other hand, it includes developing mechanisms and practical implementation of a content distribution system, by which involved parties can interact constructively to achieve these gains yet respect each others' interests. This approach combines a range of techniques, including modeling and theoretical analysis, measurement and data analysis, system design, simulation, and system implementation. Affordable and ready access to digital content helps inform, educate, and entertain society as a whole. Additionally, by developing cost- and resource-effective delivery techniques, the friction continuing to build between involved parties can be reduced and the technical side of the network neutrality debate can be better informed. To enhance this impact, the project includes an educational component involving local universities from under-represented groups, curriculum development and interactions with industry.